Dodging the Toby altercation all together, Chad rambled on about everything else. My baby Chad was still so smitten with his beloved Luke. Might I add that things are going quite steady for both? Chad’s still in therapy with Dr. Murray but his progress is unbelievable. I suppose the power of love and finding purpose again really does wonders.
“Come on Luce, join us? Please? You should start packing now and we’ll be back the morning of New Year’s Eve, just enough time to go to get ready for Knightly Industries’ lavish bash at The Savoy.” Chad pleaded for the third time.
“If Toby boots me out in the freezing cold, both of you’re arses are coming with me, understood?” She threatened our happy state.
“Sure!” I agreed as long as I get to drag Blake with me. I’m not missing out on my reunion with him, come hell or high water. I am spending time with him!
“I wouldn’t expect anything less!” Chad grinned.
“Good. Now, would you be a dear and pass me along your computer, Sienna? I need to purchase tickets to France. Do we charter a Cessna or a helicopter to get to Courchevel?” Luce pulled her wallet from her designer rustic tote.
“That’s not necessary. Have you forgotten that we have Sienna with us? Do you honestly think Blake would let his one and only fly commercial? One of the six of his company’s jets is going to be our chariot to Courchevel.”
“Shut it, Chad!”
“It’s only a matter of time until you don that monster of a ring!” Luce added.
The ring? Uh, not so much. Committing and baring myself to Blake is still scary to me—but I had to strengthen my resolve if I want to be with him.
“Maybe in half a decade if Blake still wants me, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Are we going present shopping or not?”
We landed around three in the afternoon in Courchevel. Toby arrived in the morning and Blake will arrive later in the evening with Luke.
“Bon après-midi monsieur Chad, mademoiselle Sienna et mademoiselle Lucille! Comment vas-tu?” How are you? Marcel greeted us and directed his question to the blushing Lucy.
“Je vais bien, Marcel. How is Claudette? Good I hope?” Luce followed Marcel to the awaiting silver Range Rover. Luce and Claudette got on really well last Christmas. I’m not too sure if they know that Toby and Luce aren’t together?
Powdery white snow was everywhere. The Alps made a picturesque backdrop as Marcel drove along. Memories of Blake and me skiing and laughing flittered through my mind. Was that only last year?
My nostalgic thoughts halted when Marcel stopped and took out his remote for the automated gate. Once opened, he rounded the car along the driveway and the gorgeous rustic three-story chalet came into view. This place has a heated indoor pool with floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the beautiful snow-capped Alps, well-equipped game room, a movie theater and a massive modern gym. A luxurious chalet was a little understated if you consider the décor and paintings it consisted. The chalet boasted three large master bedrooms and three junior suites and all bathrooms have steam showers, Jacuzzi and sauna. So suffice to say that there will be enough room for all seven of us. Did I mention that Toby’s distant aunt, Meredith, actually married a sheikh from Qatar? They couldn’t have children, so Meredith doted on Toby, much to Evelyn Watson’s dismay. They hated each other from what I gathered.
Toby immediately came out of the large oak door. He beamed as he grabbed for the car door handle. All three of us froze….Maybe because we forgot to mention it to Toby that we’re bringing his ex-love along?
Toby pulled the car door open and Chad jumped out of the car. “How are you? You look all dapper and handsome!” I would say the same but I’m a little nervous, and giddy?
Marcel opened the trunk and started to bring out luggage inside the chalet. Luce and I opened the other door and came out on the other side. Once Toby saw who I was with, he froze. “What in the bloody hell is going on? Is this a joke? If it is, it’s rather tasteless!”
Okay, I expected that. “Toby—let’s get inside and discuss this rationally before we all freeze to death.” I reasoned and encouraged them to go inside. Toby harrumphed and marched back inside the chalet. Chad and I shared a “look.”
“Told you this wasn’t a great idea!” Luce uttered between clenched teeth as we followed Toby inside.
He was in the spacious all white living room. Toby stood against the floor to ceiling window, trying to appreciate the view before him.
Chad cleared his throat. “Luce was going to spend the holidays alone in London and we couldn’t leave her there knowing that. Her parents went to the Caribbean and her sister’s in Australia. The last resort was for her to come join us. It’s only for a few days, Tobe! And it’s Christmas!”
“Is everyone here?” a woman’s voice came from the hall. Who the f**k is that?
Luce and Chad tensed. Luce looked more stricken.
Amelia Mendoza glided in all her Spanish glory towards the living room….and towards Toby. Her smooth hand rested on his chest.
“What the f**k is she doing here Toby?!” I shrieked. This f**king woman was bad news. She bore bad news!
“I’m taking that you’ve met Amelia?”
“Are you serious? Of course, I’ve met Amelia! I’m also in the know that Blake’s have met ‘hers’ quite intimately to be precise. Might I also add that she was the one who told me about the whole Clayworth engagement!”
Toby looked appalled. “You’ve f**ked my best friend and you forgot to mention this important fact?”
She waved her red lacquered nails in the air. “That was long time ago, querido! It was not that big of a deal,” Amelia purred.
Toby was ready to explode. “It is to me. Chad and Sienna will occupy the other master suites. You can take the junior suite Lucy. Excuse us, but Amelia and I have much to discuss in private.” Toby and Amelia strode away, possibly in Toby’s bedroom.
“Shit, Luce. I didn’t know he was seeing her. Had I known I wouldn’t have suggested it,” I finally spoke. Sighing, I sat on the pristine white suede couch. This is so awful.
Both of them followed suit and sat. We all looked dazed and shocked by Toby’s Spanish revelation.
“Are you okay, Luce?” Chad gave her a hug and held on to her.
“Yeah, just shocked is all. It was to be expected really.” She bit her pink bottom lip. Her corn flower blue eyes looked misty. “Did she really shag Blake and now her claws are on Toby and God knows what? Did she really confront you about the Clayworth engagement? That shameless whore!” Luce started to shake her head.